Madawaska officials address tax increases and employment matters

Madawaska officials are addressing two distinct local issues: a potential tax increase and an emergency meeting regarding town employment.

To mitigate a significant rise in property taxes, officials have scheduled a special town meeting for Oct. 1. The proposal involves using $300,000 from the town’s undesignated fund to reduce the projected tax increase. Without this measure, the mill rate could rise by over two mills; with the funding, the increase would be limited to approximately 1.5 mills. Select Board Chairwoman Renee Deschaine attributed the budget pressure to widespread inflation.

Separately, the town has scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss employment matters involving a public official. This follows social media allegations involving Town Manager David Daigle, who recently claimed his Facebook account had been hacked. The meeting will include executive sessions to consult with legal counsel regarding rights and responsibilities and to discuss employment matters pertaining to a public official.